THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLIV

Stinky is ready and waiting when the teleportation tunnel shoots Periwinkle right into his paws with that familiar whooshing sound. As they often do, the tabbies begin giggling and then whisker kissing. After a few moments, Periwinkle pulls back and looks Stinky up and down. She asks, “Are you okay? I heard you had a seizure on Sunday!”

Stinky replies, “I am fine. I had all day yesterday to rest, and I am ready to have some fun.”

Periwinkle claps her paws together and says, “Oh goodie, I am too. What’s on the agenda?”

“Do you remember when we visited the caverns in Luray, Virginia?”

“Of course I do. They were so gorgeous!”

“Well, we are returning there to go to the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum. I thought it might be a fun tie-in to an event that occurred on September 27, 1908. That’s when the First Ford Model T was produced.”

“I remember you mentioning we would return to see the cars. Sounds like fun. Let’s go,” says Periwinkle and leads Stinky back into the teleportation tunnel.

They arrive moments later.

Car and Carriage Caravan Museum

“I know that we won’t be able to see everything today, Periwinkle, as there are more than 140 modes of transportation on display, dating from 1725 to 1941.”

“Well, we better get a move on then, so we can at least see a few,” Periwinkle says as she takes Stinky’s paw and marches into the museum.

Stinky tells Periwinkle that the museum opened in October, 1957, and is one of America’s most exceptional displays of rare, vintage vehicles. H.T.N. Graves, the former president of Luray Caverns Corporation built the museum. In the early 1950’s he and his staff set out to find and purchase a collection of modes of transportation important to the history of travel.

1931 Pierce-Arrow

“Stinky, I never heard of a Pierce-Arrow. Do they still make these somewhere?”

“Not anymore, but they were made in America, in Buffalo, New York, from 1901 to 1938. They were best known for large, luxury cars like this one, but they also made commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, camp trailers and fire trucks.”

“Well, this car definitely looks luxurious, and I really like the color and that it’s a convertible.” says Periwinkle. Then she takes Stinky’s paw and leads him to a really luxurious car.

1927 Mercedes Benz

“Oh, Stinky, look at the vintage bride and groom. I think it is amusing how so many of the cars and displays have these mannequins. But I definitely like the looks of this car.”

“It is supposedly one of the rarest in the collection, Periwinkle. Only eight were ever built!”

“Wow, that sure does make it special,” Periwinkle replies.

1925  Rolls-Royce

“Stinky, I wonder why this was called the Silver Ghost Town Car?”

“The only info I could find, Periwinkle, said that the name came about because of its ghost-like quietness. I also discovered that production began in England in 1907 but was stopped during World War I. After the war, a second plant was opened in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a total of 7,874 Silver Ghosts were produced from 1907 to 1936, including 1,701 built in the Springfield plant. Supposedly some 1,500 are still around.”

“Can you imagine a car from today lasting that long, Stinky?”

“Not a chance, Periwinkle!”

“Hey, Stinky, look at this,” Periwinkle says while tugging Stinky toward a different type of vehicle.

1914 Ford Model T Milk Truck

“Stinky, this is so cool, as we are celebrating the production of the first Model T today. And it operated right here in Virginia.”

“Winchester is less than 40 miles from where Teddy lives. I bet they had trucks just like this delivering there.”

“That’s fun to think about, Stinky; though, he and his parents wouldn’t have been around then.”

Stinky rolls his eyes at Periwinkle. He’s lucky she doesn’t see him.

1935 Hispano-Suiza

“Hey, Periwinkle, look at this one. It makes me think of a gangster’s car.”

“Do you think there are any bullet holes in it?” asks Periwinkle.

“I doubt it. I don’t know if there were gangsters in Spain, which is where the company started in 1904 in Barcelona. The brand is owned by four generations of the Suqué Mateu family. They are still making cars today, and they are super cool looking. If any of our readers want to seem them, they should check out the official website.”

1927 Bugatti Grand Sport

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